The Defence Headquarters says it has deployed troops to conduct targeted operations in some areas noted for significant kidnapping and terrorist activities.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen Edward Buba, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing defence correspondents on ongoing military operations across the country.
Buba explained that offensive operations were conducted in various parts of Kuje and Bwari Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and neighbouring Niger and Nasarawa States.
These operations, he said were in recognition of the apprehension and tension as a result of the several incidences of kidnapping recorded recently in the FCT and other areas in the country.
“While we may not have all the answers at this time, we assure citizens that we are working assiduously to address the security situation both in the immediate and in the long term to ensure the safety of lives and property and for citizens to live in a peaceful environment and enjoy a prosperous life”, he said.
Buba spoke on the crisis in Plateau State while giving a breakdown of the activities of troops of OPERATION SAFE HAVEN in the North Central zone of the country. He said the crisis was triggered by a combination of factors including the attempted cattle rustling and killing of a local by herder militia, which was followed by a reprisal attack. This then degenerated into a free-for-all between the two militias mobilising against each other.
“This situation was exploited by unscrupulous elements to loot shops and other valuables within the Mangu township”, he said.
Overall, troops of OPERATION SAFE HAVEN neutralized 11 terrorists, arrested 22 violent extremists, and rescued 17 kidnap victims. They also recovered 17 AK47 rifles and 321 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo among others.
Fighting patrols, cordon-and-search, raid, and ambush operations by troops of OPERATION HADIN KAI in Bama, Konduga, and Damboa LGAs of Borno State, led to the elimination of 27 terrorists and the arrest of 4. Troops also recovered river terrorists who surrendered to them alongside their families.
Troops of OPERATION WHIRL STROKE carried out raid operations to violent extremists’ hideouts in Nasarawa and Katsina-Ala LGAs of Nasarawa and Benue States respectively, and also foiled attacks on civilians by violent extremists in Ukum LGA also in Benue State. In total, troops neutralized 13 insurgents, arrested 30, and recovered arms and ammunition.
In the North-West, troops of OPERATION HADARIN DAJI conducted fighting patrols in Chikum and Kandara LGAs in Kaduna and Katsina States respectively, while the air component responded to intelligence on impending attacks by terrorists in Faskari LGA of Katsina State, led by the younger brother of a slain terrorist commander, Ado Aliu. Overall, troops neutralized 27 terrorists, arrested 6, and rescued 13 kidnapped hostages.
Troops of OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH conducted offensive operations in Kuje and Bwari Area Councils in the FCT as well as in Akwanga, Nasarawa State. They also arrested illegal miners in Kuje Area Council and rescued kidnapped hostages.
The air component also carried out air interdiction on terrorist hideouts in Chukuba, Niger State. Overall, troops neutralized 12 terrorists, arrested 27, and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages. They also recovered 13 AK-47 rifles among other ammo.
In the South-South, troops of OPERATION DELTA SAFE, in their continued onslaught against oil theft, destroyed several illegal mining sites, and in the process recovered approximately 522, 000 litres of stolen crude oil, 308,000 litres of AGO, 700,000 litres of DPK and 5,200 litres of PMS. They neutralized 2 violent extremists, apprehended 58 persons involved in crude oil theft, and recovered several weapons.
In the South East, troops of OPERATION UDO KA, through raid operations neutralized 4 violent extremists, arrested 14, and recovered 10 AK-47 rifles 273 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and 177 cartridge ammunition among others.
Buba ended by saying that the terrorists and their cohorts exist for the sake of war, “therefore, for the sake of the people they must be neutralized and eliminated. This will require all hands on deck to win this war. We will continue to do more and make improvements as we move along”.
